Mickey Wallis: If we get 2 more scalps (inc De Villiers) before close, we win. If not, I am predicting a home win. Batting looking easier now.

England have bowled two successive maidens. The old saying is that three brings a wicket. Steven Finn is on for Stuart Broad.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"He looks comfortable Elgar. It will help him playing on the same surface and getting runs, you get used to it."

The TV cameras pick out an England fan, head back, snoozing. When he's given a nudge, he sees himself and salutes the crowd. What a showman. Only one slip for Moeen to Elgar now - England concerned? There's some clouds gathering behind Moeen, so the light could play its part later.

Vince Kenny: It's true Daniel. His breakthrough Album was named after his view of artificial cricket strips when it's raining.

Image source, Getty Images

Hashim Amla is starting to find the meat of the bat, having Steven Finn scrambling around on his hands and knees at mid-off. Stuart Broad, perhaps in the last over of his spell, struggles to get the ball to misbehave. It could be hard yakka for England tonight and tomorrow. 

Hashim Amla has a very precise method against off-spin. He takes guard right across his stumps and looks to work the ball with the turn on the leg side. It's a plan that got him 300 against England at The Oval three years ago. Moeen expensive so far, more than four an over. On a completely unrelated note, The Dambusters is on TV this afternoon. Classic Christmas telly.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"They're doing the right thing here South Africa and being a lot more selective. They're making it harder for England and it's what you've got to do here".

Only two slips and a gully for Broad to Elgar, with plenty of men in the covers. England won't have wanted to be in slight retreat at this stage. Dean Elgar, by the way, has managed to be on the field for every delivery of this Test match - right the way through all four innings so far. At the moment, the pacers aren't getting it to do much.

Image source, AP

Daniel Conor: ‏That must be sarcastic talking about Bon Jovi's cricketing past? Would love to know the source of that.

I'd love to have a go at being the DJ at an international cricket match. How do they pick their tunes? We've just had Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline. Clearly a classic. Diamond toyed with a tribute to West Indian batsman Chanderpaul, called Sweet Shivnarine, but thought better of it. The South African charge continues as Elgar sweeps Moeen for four. This aggression is clearly a plan to get England on the back foot.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"They've made a better fist of it South Africa. They're getting their noses over the ball and that's what any cricket lover would expect."

Stuart Broad after the break, the England pacer getting quite angry at a Nick Compton mis-field that gives Amla two. Broad stands mid-pitch, hands on hips like a man whose puppy has dirtied the lawn. When Broad drops short, Amla climbs into a pull for four. The runchase is on... 

Elgar has a slip and a helmeted silly point for company. He's positive in defence, pushing and prodding. By keeping Amla from the business end, he deprives us of the a battle between the two best beards in the game. He ends the over with a handsome cover drive. The Daniel Craig of cricket strokes.

So, England are nine good bits of cricket away from winning this first Test. They are back out at Kingsmead, where it's looking just a touch on the cloudy side. Moeen Ali has the ball. There are 37 overs left in the day.

Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"I had dinner with James Anderson last night. He said he hopes to be fit for the second Test, but he seemed a bit 50/50."